February 04, 2005
'Tis My Nappyversary :D
A year ago today, I went into my bathroom, and stared into the mirror. Peered at my strong, healthy, nappy roots and the limp, relaxed hair hanging on to it. "What are you waiting for?" I asked myself. I went and got the new pair of scissors I'd bought especially for this moment. After snipping a big chunk of hair from the front, there was absolutely no turning back. I did not care. I ended up with this:
(Jeez my face was chunky. I was still cute though...hmph ;P)
It was the shortest my hair had ever been in my entire life, but I felt as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. No more peering at my roots and trying to remember what my hair looked like nappy as a child. There it was, front and center. Definitely the ballsiest thing I've ever done, and I don't regret my decision.
I was endlessly fascinated with my hair, and though some of that fervor and product junkyism has faded much, I still love my hair. I won't lie though - there have been days when I've longed for length so that I could have more style options, even considered a texturizer when confronted with the awesome shrinkage of coils. But more often than not, I'm completely satisfied. Things I have noticed or learned:
- Less is definitely more. After a lot of experimentation I was able to narrow my products down to a precious few, which saves tons of money. To be honest...I'm still working on all the many things I bought when I first did the chop. Now ain't that a blip?
- My hair is a lot of thicker than I ever thought it was when relaxed.
- My hair texture is as varied as my heritage and I've got a little of everything going on - curls, waves, coils, naps, you name it. It can be frustrating at times, but most of the time I just think it's neat.
- The more time passes, the coilier my hair gets. When I first chopped my hair wouldn't really curl up and I was actually thinking I was more of a 4b. Now I know better. A lot of girls long for nurls or curls or coils or whatever...but be careful what you wish for. My hair tangles like mad these days, so I rarely even do a wash and go.
- When I drink lots of water and exercise regularly, my hair thanks me by growing at a nice pace and remaining soft.
- Shea butter is my friend. It's worked wonders on my skin and hair.
My hair now...a twistout (from big flat twists) pulled into a puff:
People are always asking me what I'm going to do with my hair, as if nappy hair should have some ultimate goal or destination. Who knows what I'll do...I might loc it, I might dye it bright red, I might press the front and braid in a shitload of weave, I might "silken" it, hell I might even relax it (not!). The point is...it's my hair to do with as I choose, not subject to public negro opinion, Chez Whitey, nor the nappy police.
But for now? I'm enjoying my hair in its as is state...wild and free. Like me.